Fort Myers leaders considering permanent free downtown parking after 5 PMBeachgoers celebrate Labor Day on Fort Myers Beach
SANIBEL Teenagers saved from rip current on Sanibel Three teenagers are safe after getting caught in a rip current on Monday.
Man learns to live with one arm after alligator attack A man continues to adjust to life after losing an arm to an alligator attack.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers leaders considering permanent free downtown parking after 5 PM It’s no secret that people living and visiting downtown Fort Myers are fed up with the tickets they’ve received while parking; now, however, the city is considering making a permanent change to parking fees in an effort to help.
FORT MYERS BEACH Beachgoers celebrate Labor Day on Fort Myers Beach Cloudy skies and a chance of rain were not enough to keep families off of the beach this Labor Day.
NAPLES Stormy Labor Day not deterring visitors to Naples Pier despite weekend lightning hit that hurt 2 People are converging on the Naples Pier this Labor Day where not one but two people were hit by lightning over the weekend.
CAPE CORAL UFC legend Tito Ortiz coaching Ida Baker wrestling Everyone knows Tito Ortiz as the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, but the Ida Baker wrestling team knows him as coach.
FORT MYERS BEACH Historic Society in search of Fort Myers Beach memorabilia to mark 2 years since Hurricane Ian The Estero Island Historic Society hopes you will share items you may have from places on Fort Myers Beach that were lost to Hurricane Ian.
Boating incident leaves one injured in Matlacha Pass The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating a boat crash that occurred in North Matlacha Pass on Saturday night.
EAST NAPLES Collier deputies search for missing veteran The clock is ticking to find a missing veteran.
NORTH FORT MYERS LCSO: body of woman found in Caloosahatchee River presumed to be missing woman A body believed to be that of a North Fort Myers woman missing since Wednesday has been recovered from the Caloosahatchee River.
FORT MYERS Exclusive video: Man robs Fort Myers Papa John’s at gunpoint Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man wanted for robbing a Fort Myers pizza shop at gunpoint.
FORT MYERS Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium opening delayed The Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium will remain closed pending a final inspection following a hazmat situation in July.
LEE COUNTY Lee County student with stutter gets letter from President Joe Biden A Lee County student received a letter from President Joe Biden after the student had a bad day with his stutter and wrote to the president.
the weather authority The Weather Authority: Scattered storms for your Labor Day The Weather Authority is tracking scattered showers and storms throughout Southwest Florida this Labor Day.
CAPE CORAL Annual Field of Flags event honors 9/11 victims The annual tradition of honoring those who died on Sept. 11, known as the Field of Flags, is is underway in Cape Coral.
SANIBEL Teenagers saved from rip current on Sanibel Three teenagers are safe after getting caught in a rip current on Monday.
Man learns to live with one arm after alligator attack A man continues to adjust to life after losing an arm to an alligator attack.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers leaders considering permanent free downtown parking after 5 PM It’s no secret that people living and visiting downtown Fort Myers are fed up with the tickets they’ve received while parking; now, however, the city is considering making a permanent change to parking fees in an effort to help.
FORT MYERS BEACH Beachgoers celebrate Labor Day on Fort Myers Beach Cloudy skies and a chance of rain were not enough to keep families off of the beach this Labor Day.
NAPLES Stormy Labor Day not deterring visitors to Naples Pier despite weekend lightning hit that hurt 2 People are converging on the Naples Pier this Labor Day where not one but two people were hit by lightning over the weekend.
CAPE CORAL UFC legend Tito Ortiz coaching Ida Baker wrestling Everyone knows Tito Ortiz as the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, but the Ida Baker wrestling team knows him as coach.
FORT MYERS BEACH Historic Society in search of Fort Myers Beach memorabilia to mark 2 years since Hurricane Ian The Estero Island Historic Society hopes you will share items you may have from places on Fort Myers Beach that were lost to Hurricane Ian.
Boating incident leaves one injured in Matlacha Pass The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating a boat crash that occurred in North Matlacha Pass on Saturday night.
EAST NAPLES Collier deputies search for missing veteran The clock is ticking to find a missing veteran.
NORTH FORT MYERS LCSO: body of woman found in Caloosahatchee River presumed to be missing woman A body believed to be that of a North Fort Myers woman missing since Wednesday has been recovered from the Caloosahatchee River.
FORT MYERS Exclusive video: Man robs Fort Myers Papa John’s at gunpoint Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man wanted for robbing a Fort Myers pizza shop at gunpoint.
FORT MYERS Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium opening delayed The Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium will remain closed pending a final inspection following a hazmat situation in July.
LEE COUNTY Lee County student with stutter gets letter from President Joe Biden A Lee County student received a letter from President Joe Biden after the student had a bad day with his stutter and wrote to the president.
the weather authority The Weather Authority: Scattered storms for your Labor Day The Weather Authority is tracking scattered showers and storms throughout Southwest Florida this Labor Day.
CAPE CORAL Annual Field of Flags event honors 9/11 victims The annual tradition of honoring those who died on Sept. 11, known as the Field of Flags, is is underway in Cape Coral.
The community is mourning the loss of a towering figure, civil rights leader Willie Battle, who passed away on Wednesday. Known for his dedication to the Dunbar community and relentless fight for equality, Battle’s legacy is marked by significant contributions and unwavering support for the disenfranchised. Lee Pitts, reflecting on their 35-year friendship, described him as a “true old-school freedom fighter” who made everyone feel valued. Pitts shared how Battle emphasized the importance of community and advocacy in his early career. A self-made businessman and general contractor, Battle played a crucial role in numerous construction projects, including the Dr. Ella Piper Senior Center and many homes in the area. His dedication to improving Dunbar was recently honored with a street designation on Henderson Avenue. In a previous story, Mayor Kevin Anderson and others praised him for paving the way for future generations. His work in securing funding for key projects, like the boulevard named after Veronica Shoemaker, further solidified his impact. Two years ago, Battle received a Freedom Fighter Award for his contributions to Civil Rights and economic empowerment. He was also a mentor to many, working with the NAACP to encourage community service and advocacy. Pitts recounted his first encounter with Battle when he moved to Fort Myers as a young vice president of a bank, becoming the first Black man to hold such a position in Southwest Florida. He mentored Pitts on the importance of remaining connected to and supporting the Black community, encouraging him to join the NAACP and become involved in community service. Pitts described Battle as a local Martin Luther King Jr. for his fearless advocacy and willingness to call out injustices. Battle was also a successful businessman, owning numerous properties and using his wealth to support civil rights causes. His efforts included building the first mansion by a Black person in the Dunbar community to raise property values and hiring many people through his construction business. Pitts highlighted Battle’s role in improving economic opportunities for Black people in the area and his candid approach to addressing issues on Pitts’ TV show. Lodovic Kimble, a friend of Battle, shared his experiences and admiration. Kimble, a former NAACP president, and Battle led the first political march in their town, protesting police brutality. Kimble fondly recalled their close relationship, describing Battle as a mentor and likening him to a family member. He expressed deep loss upon Battle’s passing but discussed the lasting legacy of Battle’s commitment to making their community a better place. As we remember Willie Battle, we celebrate a life devoted to service, community and progress. Willie’s legacy continues, evidenced by a street in Dunbar named in his honor, an initiative Pitts helped spearhead. Lee County NAACP said Willie brought substance to civil rights and made his job as the Lee County NAACP President easier because of what Willie had done all those years ago.