Open in NewsBreak

Villas

See all locations
Customize your news
77°F
publisher avatar

Municipal

The News-Press

partner publisher · 40.6K followers
article img

New Florida affordable housing projects take shape with hefty demand

Southwest Florida is seeing a growing push to create and preserve affordable housing as communities look for ways to help workers, families and longtime residents remain in the region . Last week marked the opening of a 144-unit affordable housing community in Fort Myers, while a new workforce housing development with 15 below-market-rate apartments is scheduled to debut Wednesday on Sanibel. Housing preservation organizations are also expanding locally in an effort to help existing homeowners stay in their homes. The projects come as national data continues to show housing affordability pressures making homeownership harder to achieve for many Americans. Rising home prices, elevated mortgage rates and a limited supply of attainable housing have pushed many would-be buyers to the sidelines. The local activity mirrors concerns outlined in last week's new National Association of Realtors' 2026 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, which found first-time purchasers remain historically underrepresented in the housing market and continue to enter homeownership later in life. Here's what to know. What new affordable housing opened in Southwest Florida last week? While affordability concerns persist nationwide, several Southwest Florida projects are aimed at increasing housing opportunities for workers and lower-income residents. Thursday brought the official opening of

Fort Myers, FL · 3d

WINKNEWS.com

website

Sanibel Fishing Pier to reopen following Hurricane Ian damage

SANIBEL, Fla. (WINK)—The City of Sanibel plans to reopen the Sanibel Fishing Pier with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 18. The city said the ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. at the Sanibel Fishing Pier in Lighthouse Beach Park. The Sanibel Fishing Pier Restoration Committee partnered with the city on the event.

Sanibel, FL · 2d
article img

Herald-Tribune

partner publisher · 37.9K followers

Florida Vibrio vulnificus cases rise to 36, with 6 deaths

Florida has reported another case of Vibrio vulnificus, bringing the state's total to 36 cases and six deaths, surpassing last year's total of 33 cases and five deaths. The latest case involved a person between the ages of 80 and 84 in Charlotte County, according to state health data . It is the county's second case this year. At least 14 people have died from Vibrio vulnificus infections in southern coastal states this year. Louisiana had reported 21 cases and seven deaths as of Nov. 10. South Carolina's health department confirmed four cases and one related death, although the total could be higher because the state doesn't require vibriosis deaths to be reported. Dozens of cases have been reported in Alabama , Mississippi , North Carolina , and Texas . Vibrio vulnificus infections are rare, but they can become life-threatening within days and cause excruciating pain as the infection eats through skin and muscle. The bacteria can enter through wounds exposed to contaminated water or through raw or undercooked seafood, particularly shellfish. Florida recorded 82 cases and 19 deaths in 2024, most after large areas of the state were flooded by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. What is Vibrio vulnificus? Vibrio

Florida · 1d

WINKNEWS.com

website

Growing Grounds in Bokeelia invites neighbors to Thanksgiving meal

BOKEELIA, Fla. (WINK) — A Bokeelia business owner is opening his family's Thanksgiving celebration to the community at Growing Grounds Farm and Market in Lee County. Since opening Jan. 1, Growing Grounds has grown from a produce stand and patch of farmland into a business with more for customers to see and take home.

Bokeelia, FL · 21h
article img

capecoralbreeze.com

website

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 · 1d

WINKNEWS.com

website

Fort Myers Boat Show brings hundreds of boats downtown

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—The 54th annual Fort Myers Boat Show is happening through Sunday, Nov. 15, right in downtown Fort Myers. Hundreds of boats have filled the downtown area for the four-day event. Visitors can see fishing boats, center consoles, pontoons and larger vessels, along with boating accessories, from Centennial Park to the Caloosa Sound Convention Center and surrounding downtown streets.

Fort Myers, FL · 20h

WINKNEWS.com

website

Collier County approves new cell tower in Golden Gate Estates after years of complaints about poor service

GOLDEN GATE ESTATES, Fla. (WINK) — If you’ve ever struggled to get a phone call through in Golden Gate Estates, you’re not alone. Even getting directions can be a challenge. WINK News experienced that firsthand Tuesday while trying to visit the area where a new cell tower...

Collier County, FL · 3d

WINKNEWS.com

website

Port Charlotte building with 50 renters faces AC, power issues

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (WINK) — Renters at Charlotte Commons said they had spent nearly a week without air conditioning and with limited power. People in building seven told WINK News more than 50 people lived in the units and some had no air conditioning and barely enough power to keep the lights on.

Port Charlotte, FL · 1d

gulfcoastnewsnow.com

website

Cape Coral community fridge faces daily $150 fines

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — The Cape Coral community fridge that has served the community for over five years is at risk of $150 daily fines if city approval for an enclosure isn’t granted by Nov. 15. Dionne Lopez, owner of the Cape Coral community fridge, said, "God put...

Cape Coral, FL · 22h

WINKNEWS.com

website

Southwest Florida veterans push for full-service hospital in Cape Coral

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK) — Federal officials are laying the groundwork to bring a full-scale Veterans Affairs hospital to Cape Coral. In December, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will decide when to conduct a ‘market assessment,’ according to Alan White, a U.S. Air Force veteran who chairs a committee pushing for the hospital. The assessments analyze local health care needs that help the VA modernize it’s network.

Cape Coral, FL · 1d

WINKNEWS.com

website

Cape Coral elected leaders prepare for city issues before swearing-in

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK)—Cape Coral's incoming leaders got a crash course in city government as they prepared to take office. Mayor-elect Rick Erickson, District 1's Dave Newton and District 6's Annette Warren heard from the city attorney, auditor, clerk, the fire and police departments and the Cape Coral Charter Schools Authority. The transition session focused on the work ahead during the next four years.

Cape Coral, FL · 1d

wuwf.org

website

Donalds names transition team leaders

Manuel Kadre, chairman of the University of Miami Board of Trustees and CEO of the luxury auto dealer Kollective Auto Group, has been named chairman of Governor-elect Byron Donalds' transition team. Donalds, a U.S. House member from Naples, said the team is “already working diligently to ensure that our administration...

Florida · 3d

gulfcoastnewsnow.com

website

Lehigh Acres lot that lost food trucks to zoning rules could become food truck plaza

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. — A vacant lot on Lee Boulevard in Lehigh Acres, once home to food trucks, may soon be transformed into a food truck plaza as developers prepare to meet with county officials next week to present their plans. "Here, in Lehigh, we've had it for four...

Lehigh Acres, FL · 1d

thesunshinerepublic.com

website

Estero Had Electric Lights Before the Story Was Finished

The great machine at Koreshan State Park looks less like a religious relic than the centerpiece of a municipal power station. That is partly what makes it so revealing. Visitors arrive to learn about an unusual community and its beliefs, then encounter a heavy engine that had to do an entirely practical job: make electricity.

Estero, FL · 1d

gulfshorebusiness.com

website

Collier approves up to 54 townhomes in Hacienda Lakes

Collier County commissioners approved a rezoning to allow a subdistrict of up to 54 townhomes on 10.28 acres in Hacienda Lakes in East Naples. The Board of County Commissioners on Nov. 10 agreed to amend the growth-management plan to allow M/I Homes of Fort Myers/Naples LLC to add a subdistrict at 3810 Hacienda Lakes Parkway. The changes include a new land-use designation and rezoning land on the south side of the parkway from a rural-agricultural zoning district to a residential planned-unit development. Before the project can move forward, it must receive approval from the Florida Department of Commerce and the South Florida Water Management District.

Collier County, FL · 2d

gulfcoastnewsnow.com

website

Bunche Beach to close for repairs after Hurricane Isaias damage

LEE COUNTY, Fla. — Hurricane Isaias caused erosion and damage at Bunche Beach in Lee County, prompting a temporary closure for repairs. Steve Brown, a frequent visitor to the area, said Bunche Beach has been impacted by multiple hurricanes over the years, including Hurricane Ian. "There was a lot...

Lee County, FL · 2d

santivachronicle.com

website

Lee Health to Relocate, Expand Primary Care Clinic on Sanibel

Lee Health is expanding primary care access on Sanibel Island through a new lease agreement for a portion of the Bank of the Islands building, paving the way for the health system to relocate and expand its existing island primary care clinic. Bank of the Islands will continue its operations at the property.

Sanibel, FL · 2d

hoodline.com

website

Naples' Bentley Village Plots 72 Luxury Units With $2.8 Million Entrance Fees

Vi at Bentley Village, the sprawling 156-acre senior living community off Tamiami Trail near Audubon Country Club, is tearing down three buildings to make way for its seventh redevelopment phase: four new buildings holding 72 luxury independent living apartments. Entrance fees for the new units are set to start around $2.8 million, with a refundable $30,000 deposit required to join the priority reservation list.

Naples, FL · 2d

WINKNEWS.com

website

Boca Grande's Banyan Street gets 14 new trees after hurricane damages

BOCA GRANDE, Fla. (WINK)—Fourteen new banyan trees arrived on Banyan Street this week as crews worked to restore the iconic road after years of hurricane damage. "This project is to restore the historic canopy to this iconic street on the island," Rick Joyce, president and certified arborist with Forestry Resources Ecological, said.

Boca Grande, FL · 1d

englewoodreview.com

website

Charlotte County Entrepreneurs Fuel Historic Surge as Florida Business Boom Hits All-Time High

If you started a business in Charlotte County within the past year, you’re part of a booming trend. Florida’s seeing a surge in new business registrations, nearly 6% more than last year, with numbers reaching an all-time high for January through September. FiledToday.com, based in Punta Gorda, tracks...

Charlotte County, FL · 1d