Coin flip could solve Marco Island City Council conflictLocal leaders in SWFL focus on sustainable water solutions
MARCO ISLAND Coin flip could solve Marco Island City Council conflict The Marco Island City Council remains deadlocked in its efforts to appoint a seventh councilor.
FORT MYERS Local leaders in SWFL focus on sustainable water solutions Water is a critical resource in Southwest Florida, supporting everything from fishing to boating and beaches.
COLLIER COUNTY Two girls hoops players from Ukraine reflect on year in SWFL Sasha Rubanova and Sonia Kiritsa reflect on the past year in Southwest Florida after leaving Ukraine.
EAST NAPLES Christopher Worrell among Jan. 6 Capitol attackers released by Trump pardon An East Naples man is now among three Southwest Florida Jan. 6 Capitol rioters released in response to President Donald Trump’s series of pardons.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers plans safety upgrades for Veronica Shoemaker Blvd. The City of Fort Myers is considering a study to explore potential improvements to Veronica S. Shoemaker Boulevard.
SANIBEL Community leaders discuss Sanibel’s future Sanibel Island has faced significant challenges in recent years, including hurricanes and flooding.
LCSO launches K-9 unit to provide emotional support for community The Lee County Sheriff’s Office now has a crisis care K-9 unit to provide emotional support and connection to community members in need.
CAPE CORAL Exclusive interview with Cape Coral leaders about families displaced through city project Residents near Bimini Square in Cape Coral face displacement as bulldozers demolish buildings for a new development project.
CAPE CORAL Demolition begins on Bimini East properties Demolition has begun on the Bimini East properties that are part of the City of Cape Coral’s revitalization development.
Lee County Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for January 22, 2025 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for January 22, 2025.
Charlotte County sheriff: deputy-involved shooting suspect was on 68 medications Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell has revealed new details regarding a deputy-involved shooting on Eager Road last week.
Plans for Aquarius Hotel receive final design approval in Naples A proposed 18-unit boutique hotel with a restaurant received unanimous final design approval Jan. 22 by the Naples Design Review Board.
What you need to know for FEMA transitional sheltering assistance Many in Southwest Florida are dealing with unlivable conditions after a series of hurricanes hit the area last fall.
FORT MYERS BEACH Suspect wanted for stealing electric bike in Fort Myers Beach Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect who stole an electric bike in Fort Myers Beach.
Kelly’s Roast Beef, Oar & Iron continue SWFL expansion A Massachusetts-based restaurant company is bringing a taste of its home state to Southwest Florida, plus a new surf and turf concept aimed at people who call the region home.
MARCO ISLAND Coin flip could solve Marco Island City Council conflict The Marco Island City Council remains deadlocked in its efforts to appoint a seventh councilor.
FORT MYERS Local leaders in SWFL focus on sustainable water solutions Water is a critical resource in Southwest Florida, supporting everything from fishing to boating and beaches.
COLLIER COUNTY Two girls hoops players from Ukraine reflect on year in SWFL Sasha Rubanova and Sonia Kiritsa reflect on the past year in Southwest Florida after leaving Ukraine.
EAST NAPLES Christopher Worrell among Jan. 6 Capitol attackers released by Trump pardon An East Naples man is now among three Southwest Florida Jan. 6 Capitol rioters released in response to President Donald Trump’s series of pardons.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers plans safety upgrades for Veronica Shoemaker Blvd. The City of Fort Myers is considering a study to explore potential improvements to Veronica S. Shoemaker Boulevard.
SANIBEL Community leaders discuss Sanibel’s future Sanibel Island has faced significant challenges in recent years, including hurricanes and flooding.
LCSO launches K-9 unit to provide emotional support for community The Lee County Sheriff’s Office now has a crisis care K-9 unit to provide emotional support and connection to community members in need.
CAPE CORAL Exclusive interview with Cape Coral leaders about families displaced through city project Residents near Bimini Square in Cape Coral face displacement as bulldozers demolish buildings for a new development project.
CAPE CORAL Demolition begins on Bimini East properties Demolition has begun on the Bimini East properties that are part of the City of Cape Coral’s revitalization development.
Lee County Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for January 22, 2025 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for January 22, 2025.
Charlotte County sheriff: deputy-involved shooting suspect was on 68 medications Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell has revealed new details regarding a deputy-involved shooting on Eager Road last week.
Plans for Aquarius Hotel receive final design approval in Naples A proposed 18-unit boutique hotel with a restaurant received unanimous final design approval Jan. 22 by the Naples Design Review Board.
What you need to know for FEMA transitional sheltering assistance Many in Southwest Florida are dealing with unlivable conditions after a series of hurricanes hit the area last fall.
FORT MYERS BEACH Suspect wanted for stealing electric bike in Fort Myers Beach Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect who stole an electric bike in Fort Myers Beach.
Kelly’s Roast Beef, Oar & Iron continue SWFL expansion A Massachusetts-based restaurant company is bringing a taste of its home state to Southwest Florida, plus a new surf and turf concept aimed at people who call the region home.
A new intensive language program at Florida Gulf Coast University is giving people a chance to learn the language tools they need to get jobs or attend college in the US. Seven months ago, Sofia Aristizabal made a big decision. “I’m from Colombia. I have been trying to get into a university, to med school, but it’s too difficult because they have a few positions to the university,” said Aristizabal. Aristizabal decided to move to Fort Myers to chase her dream, but despite taking English classes her whole life: “I realized that I need English for everything, for my future career, my future degree, I need a lot, a lot of English,” said Aristizabal. Academic English that is. The kind you need to pass those pesky college entry or job credential exams. “In Spanish, I know how to express myself very quickly,” said Aristizabal. “but in English, sometimes I struggle.” It’s that sense of confidence that FGCU‘s new intensive English language program hopes to build. “Sometimes you’ll have people who are who are or seem very fluent in the spoken language, but they can’t necessarily read 20 pages of introductory psychology, and that’s what we’re preparing them to do, how to navigate that text,” said Dr. Leisha Cali. Dr. Cali teaches the intensive English class to students from all over the world and they are dedicated. “We have the same goal to improve, not just with English, it’s in life too,” said Aristizabal. They meet 18 hours a week for 16 weeks. Writing essays, reading books and presenting in their non-native tongue. “I see tremendous changes in fluency about four weeks, eight weeks, 12 weeks, and sometimes I have to check in with the students. They don’t realize it,” said Cali. The goal of the intensive English class is to prepare non-native speakers of English for undergraduate or graduate studies at FGCU which means anyone who wishes to pursue a college degree can apply for the course. For those of you who like the sound of this but can’t make the 18-hour-a-week commitment, FGCU also offers a “Test of English as a Foreign Language” class which meets once a week for three hours.