Charges Dropped Against ‘Poster Boy’ Florida Contractor Accused of Insurance Fraud
Almost three years ago, in May of 2023, a circuit court judge in Lee County, Florida, sharply criticized a restoration contractor, accusing him of concealing the true cost of condominium roof work in an assignment-of-benefits claim with Tower Hill insurance. Six months later, the state Department of Financial...
Pine Island Art Show at North Fort Myers Rec Center Feb. 7 – 8
The Pine Island Art Association’s Annual Art Show and Sale is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The art league is celebrating its 54th anniversary this year. This year’s show location is again off the island. It will be held...
Multi-county high-speed chase ends in arrest
COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) - A 23-year-old man was arrested after allegedly leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase across three counties, Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) said. FHP troopers responded around 3:45 p.m. Jan. 31 to a request for assistance from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and the North...
Save Seagrass, Save the World: Join Lemon Bay’s Coastal Seminar Series
If you care about the environment and want to take real action, this is your chance. The Lemon Bay Conservancy is kicking off its Coastal Seminar Series, and you’re invited to get involved and make a difference right here in your own community. First up: “Saving Seagrass to Save...
Citywide irrigation system offline in Cape Coral after main break
CAPE CORAL, Fla. — The City of Cape Coral shut down its citywide reclaimed water irrigation system Sunday after a reuse main break. The city said crews are actively making repairs and homeowners might experience significantly reduced or complete loss of irrigation water pressure. The shutdown is expected to...
The FWC’s campaign to collect frozen iguanas underway in SW Florida
As expected, green iguanas living in Southwest Florida froze and fell to the ground in many places early Sunday morning (Feb. 1). Temperatures plummeted into the low 30's as far south as Naples and for the invasive green iguanas, which have adverse impacts on Florida’s environment and economy, it made them not only...
Man in Charlotte County accused of abandoning derelict sailboat, burglary
CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. — A man in Charlotte County is accused of abandoning a derelict sailboat and breaking into a residence, the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office says. According to an arrest report, deputies first noticed a sailboat washed up near the Peace River that belonged to Artem Korzhuk, 34, on Jan. 25....
Florida Man Swept Up In Statewide FDLE Crackdown On Digital Exploitation
A 69-year-old Florida man is behind bars as of Friday following a digital sting operation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Jeffery Howard Oppold was hit with 15 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material after investigators allegedly tracked illegal file-sharing activity back to his home. The...
Editor provides a closer look at how we cover crime and courts in SWFL
Even when you live in paradise, crime can attempt to hide among the shadows of the towering palms. The Fort Myers News-Press and Naples Daily News shines light on those shadows because our readers are affected. We aspire to inform the community, hold those in authority accountable, respect victims and show how...
Edison Festival of Light 2026
The annual Edison Festival of Light returns in 2026 with a variety of fun events for the entire family. Join them for the parade for everyone on Feb. 15 at 1:30 p.m. The Edison Festival of Light Junior Parade has grown into Southwest Florida’s largest youth parade that involves children of all ages. It showcases the...
