NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
SARASOTA Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte priest accused of sexual abuse appears in court A priest accused of sexually abusing four altar boys in Iowa nearly 40 years ago returned to Charlotte County court.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema prepares for opening at Mercato The newest movie theater in Southwest Florida opens April 29, and it does so with an array of entertainment offerings that go beyond the usual options across the region.
Let’s Waffle opens in Cape Coral Let’s Waffle is one of two businesses the Feix family launched locally, with the FMS Florida Boat Tours and Limousine Service owned and operated by Feix’s husband, Alexander.
Planned Punta Gorda hotel, pub, brewery faces construction delay Kevin Doyle, owner of Celtic Ray Public House Irish pub in downtown Punta Gorda, and his partner, S4 Global Investments, were found in violation of the city’s exposed soils code.
Three Sisters Spring Toast the manatee released by FWC, SeaWorld and Casey DeSantis near Crystal River A manatee named Toast was released back into the Florida waters after a final medical evaluation from wildlife officials.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Man arrested and charged with over 90 counts of fraud The Cape Coral Police Department arrested a man for allegedly stealing items from a business and then pawning them.
Man accused of pulling gun on someone ordering at Collier County Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru A man has been arrested after allegedly pulling a gun on someone ordering at a Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru in Collier County.
League Club of Naples awards record $683K in grants to Collier, Lee nonprofits At a mid-April breakfast event, the 35 area nonprofit agencies—chosen from a record number of applicants—were awarded grants from the women’s volunteer organization in areas ranging from arts education, to fighting hunger and homelessness, to providing bikes and wheelchairs to children in need
Tim Aten Knows: Chick-fil-A drive-thru proposal faces criticism in Naples Chick-fil-A is proposing a drive-thru restaurant at the site of the former Red Lobster restaurant on U.S. 41 in Naples, but the project is facing early criticism.
Judge: man sentenced to life as teen for murder of 17-year-old will stay in jail for life A man who was supposed to be resentenced in a murder he committed as a teenager almost 20 years ago will stay behind bars for life, according to a judge’s ruling.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
SARASOTA Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte priest accused of sexual abuse appears in court A priest accused of sexually abusing four altar boys in Iowa nearly 40 years ago returned to Charlotte County court.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema prepares for opening at Mercato The newest movie theater in Southwest Florida opens April 29, and it does so with an array of entertainment offerings that go beyond the usual options across the region.
Let’s Waffle opens in Cape Coral Let’s Waffle is one of two businesses the Feix family launched locally, with the FMS Florida Boat Tours and Limousine Service owned and operated by Feix’s husband, Alexander.
Planned Punta Gorda hotel, pub, brewery faces construction delay Kevin Doyle, owner of Celtic Ray Public House Irish pub in downtown Punta Gorda, and his partner, S4 Global Investments, were found in violation of the city’s exposed soils code.
Three Sisters Spring Toast the manatee released by FWC, SeaWorld and Casey DeSantis near Crystal River A manatee named Toast was released back into the Florida waters after a final medical evaluation from wildlife officials.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Man arrested and charged with over 90 counts of fraud The Cape Coral Police Department arrested a man for allegedly stealing items from a business and then pawning them.
Man accused of pulling gun on someone ordering at Collier County Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru A man has been arrested after allegedly pulling a gun on someone ordering at a Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru in Collier County.
League Club of Naples awards record $683K in grants to Collier, Lee nonprofits At a mid-April breakfast event, the 35 area nonprofit agencies—chosen from a record number of applicants—were awarded grants from the women’s volunteer organization in areas ranging from arts education, to fighting hunger and homelessness, to providing bikes and wheelchairs to children in need
Tim Aten Knows: Chick-fil-A drive-thru proposal faces criticism in Naples Chick-fil-A is proposing a drive-thru restaurant at the site of the former Red Lobster restaurant on U.S. 41 in Naples, but the project is facing early criticism.
Judge: man sentenced to life as teen for murder of 17-year-old will stay in jail for life A man who was supposed to be resentenced in a murder he committed as a teenager almost 20 years ago will stay behind bars for life, according to a judge’s ruling.
The Florida Gulf Coast University women’s basketball team is ranked in the top 25 in the country and is getting dubbed as the top mid-major program in the country. While Karl Smesko may not be the most well-known head coach, he is one of the most successful coaches of all time. FGCU women’s hoops aren’t regarded as one of the top programs in the country yet. But it doesn’t take long to look around Alico Arena and understand the accomplishments speak for themselves. Trophies line the halls of the arena while banners hang from the rafters. Success for the Eagles is par for the course. Guard TK Morehouse remembers when the Eagles began recruiting her. “I looked them up and I was like wow, it’s so much winning in this program but I’ve never heard of this program! That’s crazy,” Morehouse said. The man behind all of the winning is still at the helm. Forward Sha Carter said head coach Smesko doesn’t let the team get caught up in the past. “Of course, we look at him as a legend! He’s an amazing guy. But he doesn’t let us stay in that moment,” Carter said. “He just seems like a regular guy, he always checks up on us. We don’t look at him any type of way besides a great coach,” Morehouse said. Smesko is the only coach in FGCU women’s basketball history. He helped create the program more than 20 years ago, a fact he doesn’t dwell on. “Almost never. The only time I think about it is when someone else brings it up,” Smesko said. Entering his 21st season, Smesko and the Eagles have made the NCAA tournament five years in a row, including a trip to the second round last season. It’s been a long journey for Smesko building the team from the ground up and becoming a division one powerhouse. Smesko explained that all his best teams have the same selfless approach. “For us, it’s all about building the best team that we can and having players who buy into a team concept and help each other be great,” Smesko said. A new challenge faces the Eagles this season because they need to replace WNBA first-round pick Kierstan Bell, the first in program history. “You don’t replace a Kierstan Bell,” Smesko said. “What you do is redistribute some of what she does.” They also lost five of their top seven scorers, but the team doesn’t seem concerned. “That recipe still works. So, as long as we listen to him and do what we have to do and play as a team, the rest will continue to work out,” Morehouse said. “We just have to try to put together the best team we can this year. The players on the current team deserve that,” Smesko said. “This is their opportunity. I take their opportunity very seriously.” Success can bring more opportunities in professional sports. Smesko has been linked to larger programs in years past but hasn’t taken the leap to schools that can offer more money and attention. Why does the fifth-winningest coach in women’s hoops history stay at FGCU where he’s the fifth highest-paid women’s coach in the state and the 60th highest-paid coach in the country? “I’m enjoying what I’m doing and I love where I live. I don’t see a need to mess with it,” Smesko said. “I’m competitive and I like to have challenges so there’s definitely some draws for being at the biggest program where you’d have the chance to win a national championship, but I never let this be about my ego or necessarily my bank account.” And, his players don’t want him to go anywhere anytime soon. “There’s going to be a time when you see FGCU in the Sweet 16, possibly even the Final Four. It’s gonna shock a lot of people but I think it’s very possible for this program,” Morehouse said. The Eagles have started the season undefeated with a 4-0 record, and their next home game is Dec. 4 against Ave Maria.