Texas Roadhouse honors memory of five teenagers lost in tragic crashLocals react to Wade Wilson jury recommendation
FORT MYERS Texas Roadhouse honors memory of five teenagers lost in tragic crash It has been one year since the tragic crash that took the lives of five teenagers on Top Golf Way in Lee County.
CAPE CORAL Locals react to Wade Wilson jury recommendation Wade Wilson, the man found guilty of killing two innocent women, has his life in the hands of a jury and judge. In less than two hours on Tuesday – the jury came to their decision.
FORT MYERS Austan Cristiaan talks joining Bishop Verot and first D-1 offers Quarterback Austan Cristiaan talks about joining Bishop Verot for his freshman season and securing his first two D-1 offers.
FL researchers testing Zika virus to fight childhood brain cancer Neuroblastoma is one of the deadliest childhood cancers. Now, a team of researchers out of Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando are taking a novel approach to wipe out disease. Their studies involve the use of the Zika virus.
FORT MYERS Community Redevelopment Agency seeks public input for Cleveland Avenue project Mayor Kevin Anderson said Tuesday was an opportunity for the Community Redevelopment Agency and leaders to hear what the public thinks this redevelopment should look like.
FGCU professor agrees with US Surgeon General: gun violence is a public health crisis Gun violence: We’ve seen it here firsthand in southwest Florida. Many agree gun violence is a growing problem in the United States. Now, the U.S. Surgeon General is calling it a crisis.
Charlotte County Charlotte County now requiring condo and co-op inspections for building 25-years or older On the 3-year anniversary of the Champlain Towers South building collapse in Surfside, FL, many look to remember those lost and continue to learn from the tragedy.
FORT MYERS A third diamond interchange on its way to Southwest Florida The third iteration of a construction project that strikes fear into some drivers could be a tell-tell sign about the trends of Southwest Florida.
NAPLES Naples practice comes under fire from a former employee A Naples dermatology practice acknowledges it had issues when it first opened two years ago but says those issues are now behind them.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral hosts more FEMA hearings Red tags are rearing their ugly head. Cape Coral homeowners who were slapped with these tags and found non-compliant with city code permits are back to defend themselves.
4 local music shows to choose from in one day If you’re an indecisive local music fan, Friday will be a tough day for you.
FORT MYERS Walt Wesley Way unveiled in honor of local legend Take a drive down Lincoln Blvd. in Fort Myers and you will notice above the street sign is another that reads ‘Honorary Walt Wesley Way.’
LABELLE Man reunited with dog after she appears in LaBelle 2 years after disappearing in Maryland A man has been reunited with his dog after she went missing for two years and many states away.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Several brands of ice cream, a variety of products, recalled for possible Listeria contamination Several brands of ice cream sold at Southwest Florida grocery stores are part of a massive nationwide recall involving 14 brands.
ARCADIA Arcadia man arrested after allegedly going on perversion spree A man in Arcadia has been arrested after police say he exposed himself to a minor and took photos of a woman wearing a skirt as she shopped.
FORT MYERS Texas Roadhouse honors memory of five teenagers lost in tragic crash It has been one year since the tragic crash that took the lives of five teenagers on Top Golf Way in Lee County.
CAPE CORAL Locals react to Wade Wilson jury recommendation Wade Wilson, the man found guilty of killing two innocent women, has his life in the hands of a jury and judge. In less than two hours on Tuesday – the jury came to their decision.
FORT MYERS Austan Cristiaan talks joining Bishop Verot and first D-1 offers Quarterback Austan Cristiaan talks about joining Bishop Verot for his freshman season and securing his first two D-1 offers.
FL researchers testing Zika virus to fight childhood brain cancer Neuroblastoma is one of the deadliest childhood cancers. Now, a team of researchers out of Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando are taking a novel approach to wipe out disease. Their studies involve the use of the Zika virus.
FORT MYERS Community Redevelopment Agency seeks public input for Cleveland Avenue project Mayor Kevin Anderson said Tuesday was an opportunity for the Community Redevelopment Agency and leaders to hear what the public thinks this redevelopment should look like.
FGCU professor agrees with US Surgeon General: gun violence is a public health crisis Gun violence: We’ve seen it here firsthand in southwest Florida. Many agree gun violence is a growing problem in the United States. Now, the U.S. Surgeon General is calling it a crisis.
Charlotte County Charlotte County now requiring condo and co-op inspections for building 25-years or older On the 3-year anniversary of the Champlain Towers South building collapse in Surfside, FL, many look to remember those lost and continue to learn from the tragedy.
FORT MYERS A third diamond interchange on its way to Southwest Florida The third iteration of a construction project that strikes fear into some drivers could be a tell-tell sign about the trends of Southwest Florida.
NAPLES Naples practice comes under fire from a former employee A Naples dermatology practice acknowledges it had issues when it first opened two years ago but says those issues are now behind them.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral hosts more FEMA hearings Red tags are rearing their ugly head. Cape Coral homeowners who were slapped with these tags and found non-compliant with city code permits are back to defend themselves.
4 local music shows to choose from in one day If you’re an indecisive local music fan, Friday will be a tough day for you.
FORT MYERS Walt Wesley Way unveiled in honor of local legend Take a drive down Lincoln Blvd. in Fort Myers and you will notice above the street sign is another that reads ‘Honorary Walt Wesley Way.’
LABELLE Man reunited with dog after she appears in LaBelle 2 years after disappearing in Maryland A man has been reunited with his dog after she went missing for two years and many states away.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Several brands of ice cream, a variety of products, recalled for possible Listeria contamination Several brands of ice cream sold at Southwest Florida grocery stores are part of a massive nationwide recall involving 14 brands.
ARCADIA Arcadia man arrested after allegedly going on perversion spree A man in Arcadia has been arrested after police say he exposed himself to a minor and took photos of a woman wearing a skirt as she shopped.
Thursday, June 6, 2024, marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, a historic day for the world and for George Fotovich, a 20-year-old armed forces member, when he landed on the beaches of Normandy. On June 6, 1944, allied forces from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada launched a massive assault on the beaches of Normandy, France, initiating the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Control. Among the brave soldiers who participated in the historic operation was George Fotovich, a now 100-year-old WWII veteran and one of the first paratroopers to land on Normandy. “Everything happens so fast you don’t have much time to think about it,” said Fotovich. Sgt. George Fotovich served in the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army. He now lives in Rotonda West in Charlotte County. As we commemorate this 80-year milestone, Fotovich’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the courage and sacrifices made by those who fought on D-Day. “D-day? A parachute jump! And when we hit the ground, I found out that my commander broke his leg on the way down,” said Fotovich. He parachuted into Normandy as part of the second plane to drop troops on that fateful day. “It’s not a matter of being afraid. It’s a job. When you do a job, you do it whether you think about it or not,” said Fotovich. His actions contributed to the successful infiltration of German-occupied Western Europe. Close to 4,500 Allied soldiers died on D-Day, and 2,500 of them were Americans. If you add in the number of Germans killed and historians say at least 10,000 people at Normandy. “In two days’ time, there were like 8,000 bodies. They were bringing them all up from the shoreline,” said Fotovich. A 2003 newspaper article published by Sun-Herald explains Sgt. Fotovich’s role and heroism during D-Day as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division. He and his unit parachuted behind enemy lines in Normandy to liberate the village of St. Mere Eglise and block German reinforcements from reaching the beaches. Despite challenging conditions and heavy casualties, they successfully stood until reinforcements arrived. Throughout the war, he demonstrated extraordinary bravery, earning a Purple Heart and participating in other significant battles, including the Battle of the Bulge. Fotovich was wounded in action during World War II, specifically at the Battle of the Bulge. “Well, it made me feel good because it wasn’t worse. It could have been a lot worse,” said Fotovich. On the 80th anniversary of D-Day, Fotovich is now 100 years old. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, less than 1% of the Americans who fought on D-Day are still alive. Reflecting on D-Day, he recalls the intense emotions of camaraderie that defined those critical moments. Despite the passage of time, the memories of that day remain vivid, serving as a reminder of the price of freedom and the enduring spirit of those who fought for it. The 80th anniversary of D-Day is not just a historical milestone; it is an opportunity to honor the legacy of veterans like George Fotovich. Their bravery and sacrifice continue to inspire and remind us of the values of courage, resilience, and unity in the face of adversity. He reminds us that the legacy of the greatest generation is never forgotten.