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Bonita Springs, FL · LATEST NEWS

gulfshorebusiness.com

Lee County bed tax collections hit second-highest level

Lee County bed tax collections reached the second-highest level in history for fiscal 2026 as the area continues to recover from Hurricane Ian, county data shows. Lee County collected $56.95 million in tourist development taxes in the fiscal year ending in September, a 21.6% increase over last year. That’s second only to fiscal 2022, an anomaly since it represented pent-up demand following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lee County, FL · 1d

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The News-Press

partner publisher · 40.6K followers

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Landmark seafood restaurant celebrates 44 years in Fort Myers

It really does fit every occasion. Looking for a friendly neighborhood bar? How about dinner with one or 30 friends? Want to sit outside and bring Fido along? Or maybe you want to sit inside while feeling like you’re outside? For 44 years, The Prawnbroker has been doing all that and more along McGregor Boulevard in Fort Myers . “We opened in 1982,” co-owner Matt Asen said. “It’s worked out so well. This is a good location.” When he, Michael Schilling and Kipp Foster opened their seafood restaurant and fish market in Cypress Square, the Oyster Shell was pretty much the only other restaurant there. Today it boasts Blu Sushi, Bellini’s and Blanc (in Oyster Shell’s old space). “(Back then) we were so busy,” said Asen, who, along with his partners, also owns University Grill in Fort Myers, and The Timbers and The Sanibel Grill on Sanibel. “We took over the place behind us, and then we took over another space.” Seating capacity has grown from 150 in the early years to 220-plus today. Prawnbroker quickly became a neighborhood favorite “We did it the right way,” Asen said. “We grew our restaurant as our customer base grew.” With the early

Fort Myers, FL · 1d

WINKNEWS.com

Alva and Lehigh Acres add schools as Lee County enrollment falls

ALVA, Fla. (WINK)—The Lee County School District is preparing to open four new schools in the Lehigh Acres and Alva area as enrollment trends move in opposite directions across the district. The new Alva High School is slated to open in time for the 2027 school year. Three additional...

Lee County, FL · 1d

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gulfcoastnewsnow.com

Whiskey Creek homeowner accused of changing locks, threatening to shoot man being evicted

WHISKEY CREEK, Fla. — A Whiskey Creek man was arrested on Thursday after being accused of threatening a victim with a gun. According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office arrest report, deputies responded to a home in the Whiskey Creek area at around 6:15 p.m. and made contact with the victim. The victim told deputies he had been staying at the home for six years and was in the process of moving out because the homeowner, identified as Robert Serwin, 71, intended to evict him.

Whiskey Creek, FL · 1d

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The News-Press

partner publisher · 40.6K followers

Popular Fort Myers pizza shop reopens with new look and more awards

Even before Uncle Rico’s reopened at 11 a.m. on Nov. 10 after a 17-day break, customers were lined up, patiently waiting outside. And when the door of this wildly popular pizza shop near downtown Fort Myers finally swung open, they flooded into a whole new space. Uncle Rico’s debuted a new/old look that’s even more old-school than ever. Step inside and you’ll hardly recognize the joint. “We’re so excited,” said Cira Aguila, who opened this gem with her husband Enrico (aka Uncle Rico and Florida's Favorite Uncle) at the corner of Hanson Street and Cleveland Avenue in March 2022. “There’s so much space now.” A new look as Uncle Rico’s expands The counter where orders are taken has been replaced and expanded, and the handful of tables in the tiny dining room are gone. A 15-foot bar top, a perfect spot for a slice or two, now runs along the front windows, while a few chairs are positioned against the opposite wall. And the décor? “We’re bringing the ‘80s back,” Enrico said, pointing to items like a kid in a candy store. Retro orange countertops, all the rage in the 1970s and into the '80s, are the first to catch

Fort Myers, FL · 2d

gulfcoastnewsnow.com

Costly ambulance rides lead some Gulf Coast patients to drive themselves to the ER

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Rising ambulance costs are causing people on the Gulf Coast to reconsider calling for emergency medical transport, even in potentially life-threatening situations. Matt Ward recently experienced chest tension and feared it might be a heart attack, prompting him to consider calling for an ambulance. "I...

Fort Myers, FL · 2d

WINKNEWS.com

Waste Pro sues Cape Coral over garbage contract

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK) — Cape Coral's longtime solid waste provider is suing the city over a deal that would hand over trash collection to a different company. Waste Pro filed an 850-page lawsuit against the city that claims Cape Coral didn't follow it's own guidelines for selecting a contractor. Waste Pro has exclusively collected Cape Coral's residential and commercial waste since 2010. Cape Coral twice renewed the deal, which expires in September of 2027.

Cape Coral, FL · 1d

WINKNEWS.com

Cape Coral bald eagle rescued after fight with rival eagle

SANIBEL, Fla. (WINK)—A female bald eagle rescued from Cape Coral arrived at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) on Monday after what the clinic believed was a fight with another eagle. CROW's medical team found minor scrapes and abrasions on the eagle's feet that appeared to come...

Cape Coral, FL · 2d

National Enquirer

partner publisher · 72.5K followers

Man On Animal Abuser Registry Faces New Charges After 10 Puppies Found In Hot SUV In Florida

Authorities in Florida say an investigation into the sale of puppies connected to a man on the Lee County Animal Abuser Registry led to the rescue of 10 puppies trapped in a hot SUV. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said detectives assisted Lee County Domestic Animal Services (LCDAS) investigating a Craigslist advertisement selling puppies “linked […]

Lee County, FL · 1d

gulfshorebusiness.com

Fort Myers’ new Papillon puts local farms on the menu

Sasha Minins, a native of Latvia who began working in European restaurants at 14, created a new concept that leans into his roots while charting new territory for the Fort Myers dining scene. Papillon, a wine bar and restaurant, opened Nov. 7 at 1815-2 Fowler St. in what’s known as...

Fort Myers, FL · 1d

gulfcoastnewsnow.com

Cape Coral man accused of chasing, hitting neighbor with ladder

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — A Cape Coral man was arrested after police said he chased a neighbor with a ladder and struck him during a confrontation on Tuesday. Matthew Peter Wicinski, 59, is facing a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Lee County court.

Cape Coral, FL · 2d

whatnow.com

Buffalo Wild Wings GO Planned for Lehigh Acres

Buffalo Wild Wings GO is planned for 25 Homestead Road North, Unit 45, in Lehigh Acres, according to records from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The address is in Lehigh Town Center. Though an exact date has not been confirmed, a representative for the planned location told...

Lehigh Acres, FL · 1d

wrif.com

We Call An Exotic Masseuse!

Now, this isn't exactly what you might be thinking. The exotic masseuse we call is actually in the room with us. After some exotic massage road signs started popping up in Cape Coral, we imagined how the calls actually sound!. According to Gulf Coast News, "Bright purple signs featuring a...

Cape Coral, FL · 2d

unearththevoyage.com

Ten Florida Haitian Restaurants Worth the Drive for Griot and Spicy Pikliz

A food truck in Florida stays open until 2 in the morning, and it named itself after a spicy pickled slaw. I read that and got hungry on the spot. That slaw is pikliz. It’s shredded cabbage and carrots soaked in vinegar with hot Scotch bonnet peppers. Haitian cooks...

Fort Myers, FL · 1d

gulfcoastnewsnow.com

Lee County parents voice concerns over proposed school closures

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Lee County School District is considering closing Tice Elementary and Orangewood Elementary, a proposal that could affect around 1,000 students and 60 teachers, leaving parents searching for answers and expressing frustration. Nicole Doss, a mother of an Orangewood Elementary kindergarten student, shared her disappointment...

Lee County, FL · 1d

The News-Press

partner publisher · 40.6K followers

South Fort Myers upsets Naples for first playoff win since 2014

Having spent a majority of their season on the road, there is little that can unnerve the Wolfpack. Even one of the most difficult venues for away teams in Staver Field and a round of the playoffs where the Golden Eagles have historically succeeded. No. 6 seed South Fort Myers imposed its will on defense and relied on the legs of junior quarterback Jaydon Henderson to knock off the third-seed Naples 32-27 in the Class 4A-Region 3 quarterfinal on Friday, Nov. 13. The teams came in with plenty of familiarity after splitting meetings last year with the Golden Eagles getting the final say with a 21-13 first-round playoff victory. “It feels lovely,” South Fort Myers senior defensive lineman Ja’Dell Carter said. “It’s always good to win at Naples.” Carter and the South defense led the way, holding the Naples rushing attack in check for most of the game and forcing four turnovers. The first came when sophomore Jer’Shard Benjamin leapt up to intercept a pass by junior Naples quarterback Devin Dunford. Benjamin was rewarded immediately as Henderson found him streaking behind the defense for a 67-yard score. “So goes (Benjamin), so goes our team,” South head coach Matt Holderfield said.

Naples, FL · 21h

hoodline.com

Cape Coral Community Fridge Faces $150 Daily Fines Over Enclosure Delay

A free community fridge that has fed hungry neighbors outside Lee County Plumbing and Supply in Cape Coral for more than five years could soon face $150-a-day fines, and its owner says the refrigerators may have to be hauled away entirely if the city doesn't sign off on a proposed enclosure by Nov. 15.

Cape Coral, FL · 1d

Naples Daily News

partner publisher · 28.3K followers

Accused of killing co-worker's mother, SW FL man won't get a new attorney

A Fort Myers man facing the death penalty in Collier County is requesting new counsel, arguing his current attorneys are ineffective, accusing them of not disclosing evidence. Thomas Evans, 43, faces charges of capital first-degree murder and armed robbery in the 2019 New Year's Day slaying of Frances Axley, 78, of Naples. Prosecutors on May 31, 2019, filed a notice of intent to seek death against Evans. Evans, in a handwritten motion filed Oct. 5, argued his current attorneys, Lee Hollander and Kevin Shirley have not been effective. He also accuses his attorneys of not investigating his case. During a Nov. 12 motions hearing before Collier Circuit Judge Joseph Foster, Shirley said he prefers to speak with Evans face-to-face, as opposed to the phone or email. Shirley said he and Hollander have been defending those accused of crimes for four decades, adding that they need to gain Evans' trust. "We may not be chit-chatting with him about it," Hollander said, adding they are working his case since they became Evans' attorneys two years ago. Shirley said they will be ready come May for Evans' trial. Then, Foster turned to Evans and asked if he had any concerns he wanted to

Fort Myers, FL · 2d

capecoralbreeze.com

Guest Commentary | Transparency: What a load of garbage!

Transparency. We all campaign on it. We all promise it. Apparently, it’s easier to talk on the campaign trail than to actually practice it. Let’s talk trash … Literally. Cape Coral canceled its original Solid Waste RFP (Request for Proposal) and issued another requiring bidders to include plans for a transfer station (aka a DUMP … with a roof!) Meanwhile, Waste Pro had purchased property in District 7 for a reported $13.5 million (Lee County Property Appraiser’s website), and land-use changes were moving through the city.

Cape Coral, FL · 2d

gulfcoastnewsnow.com

Coldest air of the season expected Saturday night for the Gulf Coast

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Expect a chilly night across the Gulf Coast, as lows dip below the 50-degree mark for some communities. The coldest air of the season has made its way down the state, bringing widespread 50s and 40s. No rain is expected. Tomorrow will be a chilly...

Fort Myers, FL · 5h

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