Review your insurance

The damage left in the wake of Hurricane Ian permanently changed landscapes, livelihoods, and lives. But Ian and other recent storms have also done major, if less immediately visible, damage to the insurance industry in Florida. And those effects are still reverberating for insurance companies and homeowners. “I’ve been a Florida insurance agent for 28 […]

Preparing your family

MAKE A FAMILY COMMUNICATION PLAN Even the best plans can go astray when disaster strikes. If your family members are not all in the same place when a hurricane hits, have you considered how you’ll get in touch with each other? Do you have a designated meeting spot? What if your neighborhood is evacuated? It’s […]

AREA SHELTERS AND REFUGES OF LAST RESORT

CHARLOTTE COUNTY Emergency Operations Center (941) 833-4000 charlottecountyfl.gov/departments/public-safety/emergency-management/ PLEASE NOTE: Do not depend on a particular shelter or refuge. Sites may, or may not, be opened depending on the size of the storm and the predicted landfall area. *All Charlotte County shelters are pet-friendly. PORT CHARLOTTE Harold Avenue Regional Park Recreation Center, 23400 Harold Ave. […]

Collier County woman faces vehicular homicide charge for wrong-way crash

A Collier County woman faces a vehicular homicide charge after being arrested Thursday in connection with a wrong-way crash that killed a woman from Cape Coral in January. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Justine Fagan, 47, was driving a Lexus sedan north in the southbound lane of Everglades Boulevard North around 3:30 p.m. on […]

LCSO warns of uptick in catalytic converter thefts nationwide

The Lee County Sheriff’s office is issuing a warning after seeing an uptick in catalytic converter thefts nationwide. Southwest Florida has also seen its share of thefts recently. The catalytic converter is a component of a vehicle exhaust system designed to reduce pollutants released into the air. Their use was mandated in 1975 as a […]

Demon Jamaol Speed

Fort Myers man 2nd suspect arrested for Tampa apartment homicide

A man has been arrested in Southwest Florida in connection to a deadly Tampa apartment complex shooting. Tuesday afternoon, detectives with the Fort Myers Police Departments Group Violence Intervention Unit, alongside the United States Marshals Service, arrested Demon Jamaol Speed, 29. Speed had an active First Degree Homicide warrant out of Hillsborough County. The Hillsborough County […]

facility dog

Golisano Children’s Hospital has a new facility dog

Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida has 4 new paws on the ground and her name is Lemon. Dorian’s new forever friend is a 2-year-old golden retriever who came from Canine Assistants. Lemon will work alongside her primary handler, Taylor. A child life specialist with Hematology and Oncology. And Sarah, a child life specialist with […]

Suspect escapes charges for stealing 4-foot Snoop Dogg bobblehead from Circle-K

A suspect escapes charges after stealing a Snoop Dogg bobblehead from a Circle-K store on Thursday. According to Cape Coral police, officers were able to locate the person who took a 4-foot-tall Snoop Dogg bobblehead Corona beer display that was outside of the convenience store as part of a promotional display. The bobblehead was recovered […]

Duo accused of Lee County shopping spree with stolen credit cards

A duo accused of using stolen credit cards to go on a shopping spree is wanted by law enforcement. They are accused of racking up hundreds of dollars in charges at various Lee County stores. The victim said he dropped his wallet at a restaurant on July 26 and the two suspects scooped it up […]

Everglades City chosen as top small town by Smithsonian Magazine

A Southwest Florida small town is getting recognized for its charm. Everglades City was selected by Smithsonian Magazine as one of the Top 15 Best Small Towns to visit in the U.S. The little tourist town hosts between half a million to a million visitors each year. Besides the occasional playground and post office traffic, […]