Arrest made in joint March Peace River death investigation after body found wrapped in...
LEE COUNTY, Fla. — Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno and Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell announced that an arrest has been made following a joint investigation into a dead body that was found in the Peace River in March. According to Marceno, on May 25, Joshua Cullen, 47, of...
Scale operator guilty of taking kickbacks for letting trucks through without load ticket or...
A jury in Florida convicted a man on grand theft charges for a trucking kickback scheme. Ray Richard Bernaldez Sotomayor was found guilty on a charge of First Degree Grand Theft with a finding of $100,000 or more after a two-day trial in Lee County, Florida. Bernaldez Sotomayor was arrested on the job by the Lee […] T
Florida law to ease building permit process for Cape Coral homeowners
LEE COUNTY, Fla. — A new Florida law taking effect July 1 will streamline building permit requirements for certain home improvement projects, aiming to make the process faster and easier for homeowners. Cape Coral resident Antonio Conigliaro is remodeling his home and is excited about the changes. "It's going...
Cape Coral’s Food Scene Is Having a Moment, and These 12 Restaurants Prove It
Cape Coral used to be known mostly for its canals and waterfront views, but lately, the city has become a serious destination for food lovers. New restaurants are opening up all over town, bringing creative menus, fresh ingredients, and dining experiences that rival anything you’d find in bigger cities. Whether you’re
Lee County approves funding for dunes and native plants to protect coastline
LEE COUNTY, Fla. — Lee County commissioners have approved funding for new dunes and native plants at Lovers Key and Bonita Beach to help protect the coastline from future storms. Benny and Kim Beaty, visitors from Fort Myers, shared their appreciation for the new vegetation at Lovers Key Beach.
Overall property valuations show market slowdown
Estimated tax roll values in Lee County are flat or a little bit negative for 2026. Property Appraiser Matt Caldwell said in looking at the 2026 estimated tax roll values released last Friday, a market slowdown in 2025 can be plainly seen and that slowdown will have an impact. “Most...
FWC testing for algae following fish kill at Laishley Park Marina in Punta Gorda
PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — Dead anchovies have been washing ashore at Laishley Park Marina in Punta Gorda, creating a strong odor and raising concerns among visitors. The small dead fish were seen floating on the surface of the water, drawing lots of birds to the marina along the Peace River. Visitors told Gulf Coast News the
North Fort Myers woman gets some of her gnomes back as man arrested
NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. — Shawn Haines of North Fort Myers has been reunited with 13 of her stolen garden gnomes after deputies arrested a man in connection with the theft. Haines, who has been collecting gnomes for over 30 years, said about 25 of her figurines were stolen. Five days after the theft, she received a text
Pickup truck reported stolen from Lehigh Acres; troopers catch suspect in South Fort Myers
FORT MYERS, Fla. — A man was arrested in South Fort Myers early Wednesday morning after being accused of stealing a pickup truck. According to Florida Highway Patrol, at around 1:22 a.m., troopers received information that a Chevrolet pickup truck in the area of I-75 and Daniels Parkway was reported with a stolen tag.
Former UFC fighter Tito Ortiz describes Cape Coral boating accident that left him unconscious
CAPE CORAL, Fla. — Former UFC fighter and Cape Coral resident Tito Ortiz said he is lucky to be alive after being thrown from a boat at high speed in a freak accident. Ortiz explained that his friend, who was driving the boat, engaged autopilot, but it failed. The boat suddenly veered left at 50 miles per hour, throwin
