Palmetto Ridge High School student plans rally against violence

Palmetto Ridge High School students and parents have one thing in common with the Parkland Community — they want change. Benjamin Mendoza, 18, is accused of bringing a knife to school and threatening his classmates at PRHS. Mendoza was arrested Monday and faces charges of possession of a weapon on school grounds and disruption of a […]

1 injured after shooting on Willard St. in Fort Myers

At least one person was taken to the hospital Tuesday evening after a shooting on Willard Street, according tot he Fort Myers Police Department. The shooting happened around 6:30 p.m. at the Jackson Plaza apartments on the 2200 block of Willard Street, police said. “It’s definitely scary. I mean, I called my mom right after […]

Marco Island city manager accused of battery granted leave of absence

Marco Island City Manager Dr. Lee Niblock was granted a leave of absence Tuesday evening after allegations of battery were brought against him. The Marco Island Police Department received a complaint against Niblock for battery on Feb. 8 and later notified the city council of an investigation. A week later, councilmembers determined it was their […]

House speaker promises to crack down on sanctuary cities in political ad

Florida house speaker Richard Corcoran promises to crack down on illegal immigration and sanctuary cities in a political ad viewed by some as “a little intense.” Florida Gulf Coast University professor Peter Bergerson believes the ad is an effective way for Corcoran to fire up his base as he weighs a run for governor. “Pretty […]

Lawsuit argues Lee County benches are not ADA compliant

Lee County is facing a lawsuit that argues more than 100 benches are not in compliance with the regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Improving the location of the benches along Cleveland Avenue could cost taxpayers over $1.5 million, but county commissioners said they have already accounted for it in this year’s budget. “We […]

SWFL beware of hurricane damage scams

Southwest Florida residents are still dealing with the destruction Hurricane Irma left behind. People allegedly claiming to assess hurricane roof damage are calling from spoofed numbers and knocking on the doors of Southwest Florida residents. “It’s always frustrating when these companies call and call and call and that’s probably another sign of their non legitimacy,” […]

Florida representative recommends changes to keep kids safe

Mental health concerns are a big topic in Tallahassee after a shooting left 17 students and faculty dead last week in Parkland, Florida. Reports show suspect Nikolas Cruz, 19, was depressed and suffered from ADHD and autism, which raises red flags for how he was able to legally purchase a semi-automatic rifle. After the massacre, Florida representative Heather […]

‘It’s just a big job’: Punta Gorda seawall repairs underway

The pieces of crumbling seawalls will soon be repaired more than five months after Hurricane Irma hit Southwest Florida. “It was a total wreck,” said homeowner Kirk Rich. “I mean the seawall was completely collapsed in towards the house along with some of the yard.” The City of Punta Gorda said they’re attempting to complete […]

President Donald Trump urges ban on gun devices like bump stocks

As a grieving Florida community demanded action on guns, President Donald Trump on Tuesday directed the Justice Department to move to ban devices like the rapid-fire bump stocks used in last year’s Las Vegas massacre. It was a small sign of movement on the gun violence issue that has long tied Washington in knots. “We […]

New technology could give Fort Myers Police a live birds-eye view on crime

A Fort Myers company is working to centralize cameras across Lee County to help law enforcement track and catch criminals. The Fort Myers Police Department wants to purchase the program called Live Earth, which is expected to cost taxpayers just under $95,000. “If it could save a life or keep somebody from being robbed or […]