Large emergency response at inn off US-41 Business in North Fort Myers
NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. — A large emergency response scene was seen at an inn off US-41 Business on Thursday night in North Fort Myers. Fire trucks, ambulances and deputies were seen at Welcome Inn. A witness at the scene told Gulf Coast News he saw an older man...
Lee County deputies serve search warrants nearby as Lehigh Acres teen death investigation continues
LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. — Lee County Sheriff's Office detectives continue to investigate the death of a 15-year-old Lehigh Acres boy while serving multiple search warrants near where his body was found. Deputies returned Thursday to a home on 20th Street Southwest after serving search warrants at the property Wednesday....
Lee County deputies use grappler device to stop suspect after four-day domestic investigation
LEE COUNTY, Fla. — Lee County deputies used a grappler device Thursday morning to safely stop a suspect’s vehicle in front of the Westbrook Homes community on Three Oaks Parkway off Alico Road, concluding a four-day investigation. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested Ryan Hillaker, who is accused...
Fort Myers Beach restaurant sells for $8.25M; owner to expand brand
You may not know his name, but we’re pretty sure you’ve heard of his Southwest Florida restaurants . Len Lemmer is the force behind 15-month-old Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux in Cape Coral , Cantina Laredo in Bell Tower (which he opened in 2003) and Nervous Nellie’s on Fort Myers Beach (which he took over in 2014). The la
Florida eligible for funds to address feral pig damage, Lehigh Acres residents react
LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. — Families in Lehigh Acres are hoping federal funding will help address the growing problem of wild hogs, which have caused significant damage to homes. In September 2025, a 300-pound wild pig broke into Edward Wells' living room. "I was sitting here fiddling with the iPad,...
Cape Coral police chief: Two people are the main focus of Gayhart case
CAPE CORAL, Fla. — For Laurie Travis, memories of her sister – like the photographs – are trapped in time. Rose Marie Gayhart was only 23 years old when she went missing in March of 1985. "It was very hard. It's been hard for 41 years,” Travis...
Declining enrollment, teacher pay, a $92 million deficit: what’s at stake in Lee County’s...
This story is part of a statewide partnership of 27 nonpartisan newsrooms and universities working to help Florida voters make informed decisions in the 2026 school board elections. Learn more about the Florida Elections Reporting Partnership. Lee County School District is facing a projected $92.4 million budget shortf
Cyclosporiasis cases rise in Florida and the Fort Myers, Naples areas
Florida has added 97 cases of cyclosporiasis, the most in one week since the national outbreak of the parasitic illness began in the spring. Collier County saw 4 cases and Lee County saw 7 cases in the latest state Department of Health weekly updates. Since May 1 when the outbreak gained national attention with a sympt
Estero Blvd on Fort Myers Beach partially closed as crews respond to trailer fire
FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. — A partial road closure is in effect on Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach as firefighters battle a trailer fire. According to the Town of Fort Myers Beach, the southern end of Estero Boulevard is partially closed. Firefighters responded to a fire at a trailer on Estero Boulevard at around 9:3
VIDEO: Deputies use grappler to stop Florida driver accused of making ‘violent threats’
Deputies in Lee County used a grappler to stop a driver accused of making "violent threats."
