Driver charged with DUI after crashing SUV into restaurant in Gulf Coast Town CenterGreat Wolf Lodge celebrates grand opening, economic impact in Collier County
ESTERO Driver charged with DUI after crashing SUV into restaurant in Gulf Coast Town Center The driver of an SUV that crashed into a restaurant at the Gulf Coast Town Center in Estero has been charged with DUI.
Tesla issues sixth Cybertruck recall in a year, over 2,400 vehicles affected Tesla stock might be up, but their Cybertrucks have another recall for their drivers to deal with.
Great Wolf Lodge celebrates grand opening, economic impact in Collier County With pomp, circumstance and an appearance from retired NFL player Rob Gronkowski, Great Wolf Lodge celebrated both its grand opening and its economic impact for Collier County.
CAPE CORAL Orientation for new Cape Coral City Council members Five fresh new faces are on the Cape Coral City Council.
the weather authority Tropical Storm Sara forms in the Caribbean The Weather Authority is tracking Tropical Storm Sara in the Caribbean.
Local builder Paul Beattie gives up license, agrees to pay fine Beattie Development has been accused of taking customers’ money and not completing work promised, and now the company’s owner is surrendering his license.
NAPLES Naples Botanical Garden performs prescribed burn in garden area The Naples Botanical Garden is conducting a prescribed fire as part of its maintenance of the nature preserve.
NEAR FORT MYERS Jerry Seinfeld to perform at Barbara B. Mann in SWFL Comedian and co-creator of a popular sitcom of the same name, Jerry Seinfeld, is set to perform near Fort Myers.
COLLIER COUNTY DOH-Collier cautions of blue-green algae at Lake Avalon The Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) wants to caution the public of the presence of blue-green algae in Lake Avalon.
City, Naples Beach Club to preserve green space in perpetuity More than 104 acres of recreation and open space at the former Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club’s golf course will be forever preserved.
FORT MYERS The 52nd annual Fort Myers Boat Show begins An annual Fort Myers tradition has returned as the region’s premier display of boats and boating products, which will be on full display for enthusiasts to enjoy.
the weather authority Gorgeous Thursday afternoon with highs in the mid 80s The Weather Authority is tracking pleasant afternoon conditions with temperatures in the mid-80s this Thursday.
SANIBEL Failed air quality tests push back reopening date for The Sanibel School The tentative reopening of The Sanibel School has been pushed back once again after being closed since Hurricane Milton.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Police respond to rollover crash; driver flees scene The Fort Myers Police Department responded to a rollover, single-vehicle on Colonial Gardens Circle and Colonial Boulevard.
FORT MYERS West End residents frustrated by security failures, lack of response A nearly $64 million luxury apartment complex that close to 500 people call home, but somehow, security seems to fall through the cracks.
ESTERO Driver charged with DUI after crashing SUV into restaurant in Gulf Coast Town Center The driver of an SUV that crashed into a restaurant at the Gulf Coast Town Center in Estero has been charged with DUI.
Tesla issues sixth Cybertruck recall in a year, over 2,400 vehicles affected Tesla stock might be up, but their Cybertrucks have another recall for their drivers to deal with.
Great Wolf Lodge celebrates grand opening, economic impact in Collier County With pomp, circumstance and an appearance from retired NFL player Rob Gronkowski, Great Wolf Lodge celebrated both its grand opening and its economic impact for Collier County.
CAPE CORAL Orientation for new Cape Coral City Council members Five fresh new faces are on the Cape Coral City Council.
the weather authority Tropical Storm Sara forms in the Caribbean The Weather Authority is tracking Tropical Storm Sara in the Caribbean.
Local builder Paul Beattie gives up license, agrees to pay fine Beattie Development has been accused of taking customers’ money and not completing work promised, and now the company’s owner is surrendering his license.
NAPLES Naples Botanical Garden performs prescribed burn in garden area The Naples Botanical Garden is conducting a prescribed fire as part of its maintenance of the nature preserve.
NEAR FORT MYERS Jerry Seinfeld to perform at Barbara B. Mann in SWFL Comedian and co-creator of a popular sitcom of the same name, Jerry Seinfeld, is set to perform near Fort Myers.
COLLIER COUNTY DOH-Collier cautions of blue-green algae at Lake Avalon The Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) wants to caution the public of the presence of blue-green algae in Lake Avalon.
City, Naples Beach Club to preserve green space in perpetuity More than 104 acres of recreation and open space at the former Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club’s golf course will be forever preserved.
FORT MYERS The 52nd annual Fort Myers Boat Show begins An annual Fort Myers tradition has returned as the region’s premier display of boats and boating products, which will be on full display for enthusiasts to enjoy.
the weather authority Gorgeous Thursday afternoon with highs in the mid 80s The Weather Authority is tracking pleasant afternoon conditions with temperatures in the mid-80s this Thursday.
SANIBEL Failed air quality tests push back reopening date for The Sanibel School The tentative reopening of The Sanibel School has been pushed back once again after being closed since Hurricane Milton.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Police respond to rollover crash; driver flees scene The Fort Myers Police Department responded to a rollover, single-vehicle on Colonial Gardens Circle and Colonial Boulevard.
FORT MYERS West End residents frustrated by security failures, lack of response A nearly $64 million luxury apartment complex that close to 500 people call home, but somehow, security seems to fall through the cracks.
The white stain on the front-facing side of the historic Richards Building in downtown Fort Myers will not be required to be removed, following Wednesday’s city council meeting. It’s a decision that comes after months of controversy. Back in April, the city issued a stop-work order, after the building’s owners, Alessio Development, stained the front of the historic building white without permission from the Historic Preservation Commission. Alessio Development continued carrying out the work, only asking for permission after it was already completed. On Aug. 22, the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) denied the after-the-fact request for approval from Alessio Development, recommending the required removal of the paint on the front side of the Richards Building using the “gentlest means possible.” At that point, Alessio Development was given 30 days to appeal, and they did. That appeal was brought forth at Wednesday’s city council meeting. “We weren’t here because there was a violation of any stop work order,” said Daniel Garza, the attorney representing Alessio Development after Wednesday’s meeting. “Obviously, there was no intention to do anything maliciously or against any rules. The decision that the council members made is what bears weight here, and that’s how we go moving forward.” Ultimately, city council voted four to three in favor of granting Alessio Development’s appeal. “I think these are tough decisions,” said Garza after the appeal was granted. “I think that’s not an easy one to make by the council members. I do think they got it right.” But not everyone agrees. Whitney Richards Kearns showed up in support of the Historic Preservation Commission’s decision. Her great-grandfather is the namesake of the building, and she hates to see the historic building change so drastically. “As soon as I saw that paint go up, I knew it wasn’t coming down,” said Richards Kearns. “Honestly, what concerns me moving forward is the precedent it’s setting for the rest of the historic district because people moving forward, they know now that it’s easier to ask forgiveness than it is to ask permission before the fact.” However, Alessio Devlopment’s attorney argued at Wednesday’s meeting permission was never needed because the other three sides of the building had been previously painted. But the HPC argued permission was needed, due to the front-facing side never being painted or stained before. “The question before the HPC was whether the unpainted brick on the front façade had been painted, outside of this (instance), without approval by the commission,” said Nicole Vaughn, planning manager for the city of Fort Myers. That is why in August, the Historic Preservation Commission denied Alessio Development’s after-the-fact approval to stain the building. And though Alessio Development got that decision appealed Wednesday, it came with concerns from some council members. “They need to put it back the way it was, and they also need to be fined for not complying to stop-work order,” said Councilperson Teresa Watkins-Brown, before she voted against the appeal. “If we allow this to go on, someone else will come along, do it, and ask for the same grace.” Some councilmembers also voiced concerns about the ordinances being confusing and some terms, not well defined. “There are a lot of revisits we need to do to some of our ordinances to clear this up for future, so that we don’t have to get back into this type of an issue, where it requires a hearing, and we’re talking about Webster’s Dictionary to define a word for goodness sakes,” said Councilperson Darla Bonk, before voting in favor of the appeal, referencing debate around the definition of the word “paint.” Those concerns were echoed by Alessio Development’s attorney, as well as community members who spoke in favor of the Historic Preservation Commission’s original decision at the meeting. “I think it’s something that needs to be talked about,” said Garza, Alessio Development’s attorney. “I think it’s something that should be looked into. Because, again, as they (council) mentioned when they were deliberating, they could see both sides, and you almost want to try to be black and white.” “Things should be clarified,” agreed Richards Kearns, who spoke in favor of the HPC’s decision. “Lawyers are going to lawyer. They’re going to use any loopholes they can. They’re going to make things slant any which way they can in their favor, and that’s what happened today. So the more clear the city can make the code, the better it will be.”