State lawmakers want to hear your opinion on voting in Lee CountyMigrants entering Florida under controversial parole program
State lawmakers want to hear your opinion on voting in Lee County Right now, everyone votes for or against all five of the Lee Commissioners, but they’re talking about changing the system so that each commissioner represents a specific part of the county.
FORT MYERS Migrants entering Florida under controversial parole program The House Committee on Homeland Security has released documents, which show a surge in migrants entering the United States through a parole program, sparking debate over immigration policies and border security.
North Collier firefighter beats cancer, educates others on safety He’s a father, son, friend and mentor, but for the last four years, he’s been in a battle for his life.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection to brother’s death in Cape Coral A man wanted for questioning in the death of his brother at his Cape Coral home has been arrested in Pennsylvania.
Candidates challenge Punta Gorda incumbents over land, building regulations A growing grassroots movement has united residents seeking to stem high density and restrict building heights, and three are challenging Punta Gorda City Council members who are up for reelection this year.
Hurricane season is one month away The outlook for the 2024 Hurricane Season is for it be active, potentially even hyperactive.
NORTH FORT MYERS 1 dead after crash on SR 31 and Busbee Rd. in North Fort Myers At around noon Wednesday, the Florida Highway Patrol said a PT Cruiser and a car hauler collided on State Road 31 and Busbee Road, near the Lee/Charlotte County line.
Man sentenced to 25 years in prison for molesting Lee County child A Florida man will spend the next 25 years in prison for molesting a child in Lee County.
LEHIGH ACRES Man accused of using stolen credit card from car burglary at Lehigh Acres CVS Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man who allegedly used a stolen credit card at the CVS in Lehigh Acres.
ARCADIA Family of flea market murder victim struggles to find closure The family of a woman who was murdered at an Arcadia flea market continues to seek justice as the accused killer awaits trial.
NAPLES Naples man accused of possessing child porn After an investigation, a Naples man has been arrested after allegedly having child pornography in his home.
CAPE CORAL Arrest report for volunteer softball coach accused of inappropriate behavior released New details have been released about the arrest of a Cape Coral volunteer softball coach accused of sending nude photos and touching a 17-year-old student.
The Weather Authority Isolated storms pop up this afternoon and evening Afternoon of isolated storms in Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach to test hurricane emergency messaging alert The Town of Fort Myers Beach is set to test its CodeRED alert system as hurricane season begins in 31 days.
FORT MYERS Students make goodie bags for kids fighting Cancer A special delivery, straight from the heart, to Galisano’s Children’s Hospital. Three 8th graders from Lexington Middle School delivered 100 goodie bags to bring smiles to kids fighting cancer.
State lawmakers want to hear your opinion on voting in Lee County Right now, everyone votes for or against all five of the Lee Commissioners, but they’re talking about changing the system so that each commissioner represents a specific part of the county.
FORT MYERS Migrants entering Florida under controversial parole program The House Committee on Homeland Security has released documents, which show a surge in migrants entering the United States through a parole program, sparking debate over immigration policies and border security.
North Collier firefighter beats cancer, educates others on safety He’s a father, son, friend and mentor, but for the last four years, he’s been in a battle for his life.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection to brother’s death in Cape Coral A man wanted for questioning in the death of his brother at his Cape Coral home has been arrested in Pennsylvania.
Candidates challenge Punta Gorda incumbents over land, building regulations A growing grassroots movement has united residents seeking to stem high density and restrict building heights, and three are challenging Punta Gorda City Council members who are up for reelection this year.
Hurricane season is one month away The outlook for the 2024 Hurricane Season is for it be active, potentially even hyperactive.
NORTH FORT MYERS 1 dead after crash on SR 31 and Busbee Rd. in North Fort Myers At around noon Wednesday, the Florida Highway Patrol said a PT Cruiser and a car hauler collided on State Road 31 and Busbee Road, near the Lee/Charlotte County line.
Man sentenced to 25 years in prison for molesting Lee County child A Florida man will spend the next 25 years in prison for molesting a child in Lee County.
LEHIGH ACRES Man accused of using stolen credit card from car burglary at Lehigh Acres CVS Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man who allegedly used a stolen credit card at the CVS in Lehigh Acres.
ARCADIA Family of flea market murder victim struggles to find closure The family of a woman who was murdered at an Arcadia flea market continues to seek justice as the accused killer awaits trial.
NAPLES Naples man accused of possessing child porn After an investigation, a Naples man has been arrested after allegedly having child pornography in his home.
CAPE CORAL Arrest report for volunteer softball coach accused of inappropriate behavior released New details have been released about the arrest of a Cape Coral volunteer softball coach accused of sending nude photos and touching a 17-year-old student.
The Weather Authority Isolated storms pop up this afternoon and evening Afternoon of isolated storms in Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach to test hurricane emergency messaging alert The Town of Fort Myers Beach is set to test its CodeRED alert system as hurricane season begins in 31 days.
FORT MYERS Students make goodie bags for kids fighting Cancer A special delivery, straight from the heart, to Galisano’s Children’s Hospital. Three 8th graders from Lexington Middle School delivered 100 goodie bags to bring smiles to kids fighting cancer.
COLLIER COUNTY, Fla.- A Texas man faces human smuggling charges after deputies stopped his SUV in East Naples and discovered five suspected illegal immigrants, including two teenagers, inside the vehicle over the weekend. Iniael Rodriguez, 35, of Houston, was arrested Friday night and booked into the Collier County jail on five counts of human smuggling. The victims range in age from 16 to 34. Rodriguez also faces one felony count of kidnapping after deputies determined he forcibly held a 17-year-old passenger against his will. Around 9 p.m. Friday the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office issued a BOLO about a possible kidnapping suspect who may be driving a white sport utility vehicle in the area of the 101 mile marker of I-75 in Collier County. A Collier County Sheriff’s Office deputy located a 2004 white Buick SUV matching the description of the suspect vehicle parked at a BP gas station on Davis Boulevard. The vehicle had six occupants, with Rodriguez in the driver’s seat. Earlier that evening Sarasota sheriff’s investigators had responded to a report of a possible kidnapping in that county. A man told investigators that he had paid a “coyote” $950 to smuggle his 17-year-old son into the United States from Guatemala. He was supposed to meet the coyote at a gas station in Sarasota County on Friday to take custody of his son. When the father arrived at the gas station he saw his son in a white SUV with Rodriguez driving. Rodriguez got out of the vehicle, but his son did not. Rodriguez demanded the father pay him another $950 or he would not give him his son. The father said he did not have the money and pleaded for his son. Rodriguez got back in the vehicle and sped away without releasing the boy. The father gave chase, but lost sight of Rodriguez’ vehicle. He then contacted law enforcement. The father provided Sarasota deputies with a description of Rodriguez and the SUV. He also provided them with proof he paid the coyote, evidence of phone calls with the coyote. Sarasota deputies were able to obtain video surveillance from the gas station cameras. When Collier deputies made contact with Rodriguez, the 17-year-old boy was among the five passengers in the SUV. The boy told deputies that his family paid for him to be brought into the United States from Guatemala to be reunited with his father after nine years apart. The boy said he was in Houston when he was put in a vehicle driven by Rodriguez and brought to a gas station in Sarasota to be released to his father. The boy said he saw his father at the gas station and tried to get out of the vehicle, but Rodriguez locked the doors “with something he was holding in his hand.” He said he wasn’t concerned because he thought he would be released. He was surprised when Rodriguez got back in the car and drove off. The boy said Rodriguez refused his pleas to let him out of the vehicle. Rodriguez said was going to take him back to Houston. The four other passengers in the vehicle included a 16-year-old boy, a 29-year-old woman, a 24-year-old woman and a 34-year-old woman. They confirmed they paid a coyote to bring them into the United States and that Rodriguez was part of the group of individuals responsible for their transport to Collier County. They said Rodriguez knew they were illegal and that he was bringing them secretly to this country.