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.
The definition of middle class isn’t so common for most people these days. With the rapidly changing economy and inflation, some people make less than the poverty line while others make more. A recent analysis study from GOBankingRates determined the range of income needed to earn a spot in the middle class in all 50 states. The analysis is based on the latest data available from the 2022 American Community Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau. GOBankingRates defines the middle class as those with an annual household income of two-thirds to double the median income. The good news for people in Florida is that they don’t need to earn as much as many other states to be considered middle class. Mississippi has the lowest household income needed to be middle class at $35,323. Maryland has the highest at $65,641. Florida comes in at $45,278. Florida was ranked 13th for the biggest increases in what someone needs to earn to be considered middle class. What it takes to be considered middle class in Florida and other states jumped greatly between 2012 and 2022. The middle-class income range in 2012 was about $31,500 to around $95,000. Ten years later, the minimum is $45,000, ranging up to around $136,000. That’s a 44% jump over ten years. According to this analysis, some people in Southwest Florida don’t consider themselves middle class. People like Christian Garland, who’s worked in the food service industry with his parents for years, have experienced the struggle first-hand. “The middle class out here is gone, I believe,” said Garland. “I believe there will be no classes left here except the ultra-poor class. My parents used to own several businesses here. It was the hardest thing we ever did. They don’t put any money into the business here.” Garland has also experienced the financial disadvantages food services go through. “I was making less than $20 years prior, and I have been making $20 recently in the last few years,” said Garland. “It’s impossible to do. You can’t afford everything: housing, food, and gas to get back and forth to work. It’s impossible. The price of inflation is still rising, so you’re gonna pay more for the goods. That’s what inflation is. It’s just like a secret tax.” Even people like Roy Schoelfled, who is retired and considers himself middle class based on the analysis, believe the lowest end of middle-class income is too low to be considered middle class. “I don’t know how anyone could live in Lee County on $45,000 a year,” said Schoelfled. “I would raise it up to about $60,000 at the bottom. $45,000 really seems low, but I don’t make the rules. I just live by them.”